Tuesday 10-01-2023 - 15:17

Content warning: Body dysmorphia, suicide

 

The “ideal body type”. Being “beach body ready”. We hear it every year, on the cover of every magazine and at the top of your social feed. But what do these terms even mean? I’ve always wondered where this came from. Who set the boundaries for what it means to fit into these descriptions or categories? 

 

These phrases can have such a damaging effect on people, no matter the frame of mind they’re in. And it might be even worse for people who are already suffering inside with their own mental battles with the way they perceive themselves.

 

Let’s get serious for a minute. Body dysmorphic disorder, otherwise known as body dysmorphia. This is a serious mental health disorder which affects around 1-2% of the adult population and often affects people in a way that is unnoticeable to others. Sadly, it also has one of the highest suicide rates of all mental health conditions, with one in 50 people making an attempt to take their own life.

 

Body dysmorphia usually takes the form of people spending a lot of their time worrying about minor flaws within their appearance and finding things within themselves that no one else can see.

 

The common misconception with body dysmorphia is that people who are the embodiment of what the media pushes as “perfect” can not suffer with it. This is absolutely not the case. It’s also not a one-size-fits all issue. Most people think body dysmorphia is all about weight, but it takes many different forms. For example, Lili Reinhart, star of Riverdale, has spoken openly about how acne has caused body dysmorphia to the point she sometimes doesn’t even want to look at herself in the mirror.

 

With more people opening up about their struggles with body dysmorphia, there is a hope that we can eventually normalise the conversation and show how common it is amongst the population.

 
My Experience with Body Dysmorphia

 

As a 20-something year old who was raised in the digital age, I completely understand the pressures of seeing the “perfect body type” wherever you turn your head. Especially heading towards that dreaded summer period, where the conversation starts to be about getting “beach body ready” - whatever that means.
 

Personally, I have always struggled with my image and being happy and comfortable within myself. It doesn’t usually take seeing someone else for me to notice the flaws within myself, but I can say it certainly does not help. I have tried losing weight on multiple different occasions, and every time I seem to make that breakthrough, I somehow notice something new which I am not happy with, which didn’t even bother me previously. It’s almost like I try to find those issues within myself, even when they might not even be there in the first place.

 

When it comes to where I am now, I do deal with things a lot better than I used to. I have a good support network of friends around me who always reassure me that I am good the way I am. The most important change to happen to me is my girlfriend. She constantly reminds me that I do not need to change and that she likes me just the way I am. Knowing I have that reassurance from the people who matter to me the most does help my mindset.

 

I don’t think my feelings will ever fully go away, but I am choosing right now to not let it affect me. This might not be the same for everyone, but there might be times where you also feel the same, it is just important to open up to the people around you. You never know, you might find someone who is even feeling similar to you.

 

Support for Body Dysmorphia

 

If you’re reading this as someone who doesn’t have body dysmorphia but you know somebody who does, remember this disorder goes beyond an easy “it gets better” cure. You don’t have to try to coax a person out of their body dysmorphia. Don’t put pressure on yourself to make them feel better about themselves. All you have to do is be there for them when they might not be in such a good place. We appreciate friendship more than compliments. That support goes so much further than you could ever imagine. 

 

The Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation is a UK-based hub of information and support for people living with body dysmorphia. They serve 400,000+ people on a yearly basis and have amassed a network of over 1000 members. They have also started a petition calling for transparency on altered images on social media, which is a huge factor in people comparing themselves to unrealistic beauty standards that are not representative of reality.

 

If you need support, don’t be afraid of opening up. Help is always just a conversation away. 

 

This article was contributed by Arts & Sciences President Jack Richardson (he/him).